News Release

Erik Li appointed to governor’s advisory committee

January 18, 2008

Erik Li, the director of the Penn State Harrisburg’s Institute of State and Regional Affairs’ Information Technology Center, has been appointed to the newly created Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities.

Li’s appointment to the 58–member advisory committee was announced by Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman.

He attended his first meeting in late December and comments that he is not sure of his role on the committee at this point, but points out he is the only IT professional on the entire list of members. "The committee brings people from different backgrounds together with one prime focus – to serve the disabled community of the Commonwealth," Li adds. "I’m looking forward to contributing to the efforts of the governor and the committee."

A resident of Hummelstown, Li has been employed by the Institute for eight years, supporting the technology needs of all its centers, including the State Data Center. He holds an MBA from Indiana University and an undergraduate degree from Beijing University in his native China.

Michael Behney, director of the Institute, said, "I think Erik’s work over the years with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and particularly his leadership role in the development of a web-based application dealing with ADA requirements brought him to the attention of the governor and resulted in his appointment to the Committee for People with Disabilities."

The committee serves in a consultative role to the Governor’s Cabinet for People with Disabilities and includes members of various stakeholder groups, including a 60 percent minimum of participants who are disabled or family members of people with disabilities.